"It's not bleeding anymore," I repeat. "Did they find Stella?"

Liam sighs as he dabs at the blood under my nose. "No, Ron."

"What's taking them so long? Do you think she went far?" I question in worry. Liam shushes me as the compulsion to find Stella myself overcomes me. I know Stella didn't mean to break my nose - It doesn't hurt much. If anything, it throbs - and I'm worried about what the hell is happening and why the group has now reduced themselves to fighting. 

I know the cause of Stella's troubles - that is why she's been more snappy lately, right? - and I know she does dumb stuff when she's angry. 

For that reason, I made sure Alfie and his friends stayed behind. Along with Belle, who is now cuddled into his side as he reassures her he is fine. It's evident now. Her disappearing at night, it's because she's found her mate. Alfie and Belle, an unlikely and weird couple.

"Does your back hurt from hitting the table?" Liam presses at my back and checks for bruising but I shove his hand away with an eye roll.

"Liam, I'm fine. Stella." I remind him, placing my hands on both of his cheeks. He groans and moves away from me.

"I get it. They're looking for her." He says. I pout and consider asking him if I can go look for her, but knowing Liam, he will quickly reject the idea. All over a stupid broken nose. "So Alfie and Belle?" He nods over to them as if they aren't five feet away from us.

Surprisingly, they don't look up at the mention of their names.

"Stella was right," I murmur. Alfie protectively wraps an arm around her and kisses the top of her blue head. I wonder how long this has been going on and while they didn't feel the need to tell us. "Why is your dad leaving?"

Liam stiffens at the drift in conversation but settles onto the couch, grasping my hands. "He thinks it's too dangerous. He's worried that they'll get to his family like they somehow got to Ackhart." 

"That's just an excuse," I say and Liam agrees with nod. 

"He wants to be with his family, that's all." Liam adds. "Some of the others want to return home."

"What? Why?" Liam presses the tissue backs to my nose and instructs me to hold it. I'm not neccasirly confused as to why everyone wants to suddenly bail, at this point, Stella is a loose canon and is quickly angering everyone that we might need. "That was a stupid question," I admit sheepishly. "But they can't just leave cause of one fight."

"I think it's just dawning on them how serious the situation is. Especially after showing them the bullets. They could die; we could die." Liam twiddles with my fingers as if he hasn't just said that. I quickly yank my hand away.

"Hey," I coax him closer, lowering the tissue and placing my hand on his cheek. "We can't think like that."

"It's true," Tank suddenly chirps and I glare at him underneath my lashes. He returns it with equal fevor. Tank is evidently one of the one's questioning leaving. I don't care if he does. All I want is for Stella to return and Jeremy too as well. 

I shift to the couch and rest against Liam, raking a hand through my hair as I watch the clock tick. It's 1 AM. I won't be sleeping tonight, at least not until everyone gets back and news of Stella has been delivered.

It's another hour wait before anyone comes back, it's a blonde friend of Rosalyn who says she can't find Stella and that's she's going to bed. I nod in understanding and most retreat after her, informing me of the same news. Liam rubs my back and I feel like we are worried parents.

Rosalyn finally arrives with Jeremy at 3:30 AM. I am more ancy than ever as he enters the door, hopeful of good news but he shakes his head and I sink further into Liam's hold. Eventually, everyone returns and heads up to bed, leaving only Liam, Jeremy, and I out on the couch. Lance is awake, only because he's packing to leave and getting the kids ready for their ride at 5 AM. 

"What's going on with Stella lately?" Jer questions. "I know you know, Ronnie."

Jer hovers, forcing me to make eye contact with him. Meekly, I shrug. He sighs and runs a hand through red hair. I almost wish I could tell him so I wouldn't have to look at a stressed out Jeremy. It stresses me out, if that makes sense. 

"If it's really that serious, I think we should know." Liam persists but I'm not willing to share and I make that evident as I recline back and pretend to zip my lips, throwing away the imaginary key. Jeremy pretends to scramble for it and I crack a smile. He returns it and I lean over to hug him. 

"She'll be okay," I say. Jeremy sighs and pats my back - obviously he doesn't believe me - but doesn't object to what I've said. Liam gets up to get drinks and I'm quick to pull Jer back, whispering and then sinking back into the couch with a neutral expression. I chug down the tea Liam's made and then inform him of my sleepiness.

Liam leads us up to bed and curls around me with a sigh, murmuring about the eventful day. I manage to even out my breath and Liam falls asleep, I can tell when his breathing evens out as well. I'm almost tempted to fall asleep - it's been such a long day - but I refuse.

At exactly 4:43 AM, there's a ruckus outside my window. I feel like fucking Harry Potter. 

I shuffle out of Liam's grip, replacing it with a pillow and walking lightly on my toes towards the window. I collect my boots in my hand and slide the already cracked window open. Jeremy is down below, waiting with a crowbar and a ladder in hand. We're escaping.

I quickly climb down and Jeremy hands me the bar. I close the window and secure it on. "Did you do the door too?" I whisper. Jeremy nods. A freaking bar won't stop Liam, but it might delay him. Or just make him angrier, either way, I've tried. 

Luckily, Liam doesn't stir. But I've left a note with a brief sorry. It should be enough and even if he is pissed when he gets up, oh well. This is the length you go to for friends.

Jeremy helps me down from the last step and I quickly slip into my boots. I changed into my jeans shorts and a loose white T-shirt with my leather jacket. I adjust my necklace as we head for the hills, shifting into wolf form to reach town quicker.

        We're positive that Stella has not stayed near the house, but now extremely doubtful as we explore the empty town. Some bars are open and so are convenience stores and are practically the only thing providing us with light, along with the occasional street light.

I'm not too worried of being assaulted randomly as we explore the streets. It's Sun Valley. Not freaking Compton.

Jer insists of me not straying to far, claiming he doesn't want to get his ass kicked by Liam if anything hapens. It's stupid of him to say. He most likely will scream at Jeremy for helping me get out with a broken nose anyway.

It doesn't hurt anymore. It throbs but I have a gauze bandage on it. I must look great. Disheveled hair, left over blood crusted under my nails, and a bandage over my face. Jeremy doesn't comment, but I can see the silent shake of his shoulders when I meet his eyes for too long. I make sure to shove him for it. 

I actually do contemplate blabbing to Jeremy about Stella and her past. I quickly dismiss the thought as quickly as it enters my mind. It's not my place to share something so personal, especially when Stella has trusted me with it. You just don't break promises like that.

No sleep and too much stressful activities during the day make you delusional, I find.

Any alley we past, I am sure I can see a shadow. Maybe it's actual people in those alleys, but all I smell is trash. Stella is not there. Stella is nowhere as of now. Jer has yet to pick up on her scent either. At 5:25 AM, we collapse onto a bench and smooth our hands over tired faces. I can already feel the black bags forming underneath my eyes.

I'm tempted to scream her name. I mean, who would hear?

So I do that. It's stupid, I'm aware. But I'm also sleep deprived which makes me do things more erratically. 

"Stella!" I holler as we pass building after building. "Stella!"

Eventually, Jeremy starts calling for her too. It's like we've lost a dog or some shit. It's funny. 

Eventually, the bandage on my nose starts to itch from summer humidity and I toss it aside. Jeremy rambles on about littering but I shove him and it shuts him up. My night has been full of shoving. And my day has been full of blood.

"She's not here, Ronnie." Jeremy pants as he leans against a building. He's lazy and usually inactive so I'm not surprised he's winded. Early on, I had broke into a sprint calling Stella's name and he had tried to keep up, obviously failing. 

"Do you think she left town?" I ask. I wipe away at the sweat on my upper lip. It's gross, I know. My hands feel clammy. 

"Maybe," Jeremy shrugs. "What the hell pissed her off so much? She's been like that since she came back from getting stuff for Calla."

I hum, ponder what he's said and wonder if something happened while she was out. I hadn't even know she'd stepped out, probably because I was looking after Calla and the new baby. Maybe she had told me. I don't know. 

"I'm so tired," I murmur as I slump onto his shoulder. Jeremy agrees with a grunt and we sit in silence, leaning against a building and nearly falling asleep in the process. I manage to shake him awake though and convince him to keep going.

But sooner or later, we reach the Sun Valley sign. It's evident that if Stella is in the city, she is not willing to be found. Jeremy surrenders and argues that we should go home. I protest and dig around in my pocket for spare change for an energy drink. 

"Want one?" I ask as we near the gas station. He shrugs and agrees and waits outside while I go in. I know energy drinks are really bad for you, but hell, I just need something to wake me up. And I'm not trusting of gas station coffee. I've had it plenty of times while on the road and I've regretted it each time. 

The cashier eyes me warily - because of my appearance - but doesn't say anything when I hand over the change. He deposits them into a brown bag and I collect it, sighing as I turn and looking at my reflection into the security camera. I pause.

Not because I look like shit - and trust me, I do - but because of the head full of dark hair in one of the aisles. They're walking sluggishly and constantly glancing at the monitor. I hadn't seen them and hadn't cared to look for anyone. If anything, I had lusted after the hotdogs and stood by the station for a minute or two, admiring the smell without fucking realizing the person creeping in the back!

I am a horrible werewolf, evidently.

I swivel back into one of the aisles and the cashier eyes me warily. I can see the person duck down into of the last isles by the slurpee machine. 

They just made it easier for me.

From right behind him, I know who he is. I know who this dick face is!

I grab at the back of his jean jacket and wrenches him back, slamming him into the Slurpee machine and meeting wide, familiar eyes. I hold him by the collar of his shirt, glaring at him underneath my lashes. The guy at the counter croaks out that he will call the police if we start fighting. 

"What are you doing here, dickface?" I question.

"Let me go," He rasps and he licks chapped lips. Nasty lips that had once kissed my now dead best friend. The thought makes my blood boil as I drag him out of the store with me. Jeremy opens his mouth to say something but I toss him the bag and drag the boy with me into the alley way. There, I release him and spin him around, releasing the hardest punch I can muster all my strength into. 

He curses, holding his jaw as I repeatedly pummel my fist into his stomach and face. Jer doesn't try to pull me off, but watches, sipping his energy drink delicately. 

I grasp the black shaggy hair and quickly slam his head into one of dumpsters. He groans and tries to wrench my hand from his hair. I deliver a swift kick to the back of his shins and he collapses onto his knees as I bang his hand into the metal dumpster. At this point I'm so far gone that Jeremy has to step in just to stop me.

"You'll kill him," He states dully.

I want to say I don't care - it's the truth, I don't - but I want to know why he's here. And why he would dare step into the same town knowing I'm there. His ex-girlfriend's best friend. Or well, former ex best friend.

Cliff is a dipshit.

I force him onto his feet and to look at me, "Tell me, why the fuck are you here?"

"I would have told you sooner if you hadn't beat me," He gasps between pants. I can already see a bruise developing on his left eye. Good.

"Or how terrible of me. Should have I greeted you with flowers and thanks for getting my friend fucking killed card?" I spit between clenched teeth. 

"No, you deserve that card." He spits back and I lose it. Slamming his head back into the dumpster and then resorting to kicking him in the gut and one final blow to the balls. Jeremy wrenches me back when I go to curb stomp his head in.

"He killed Anna," I argue. Jeremy doesn't listen and grabs Cliff, hoisting him up and against the wall as I fold my arms over my chest. It's to resist punching him again. I've become Stella in this moment. It's a flash of Deja Vu. Except Jeremy has no knife and well, I've actually managed to hit Cliff.

Man, if Stella could hear my thoughts, she'd punch me. Again.

If Cliff wasn't a werewolf, I'm sure he'd be dead from all that smashing his head into the dumpster. Fuck that dude. 

"Why are you here?" Jeremy asks calmly. He doesn't known Anna. It's different. If this person had hurt Stella, I'm sure he would kick their ass. 

"Cause Adam's here," He spits out a wad of blood and meets my eyes over Jeremy's shoulder. I don't shudder, but I'm tempted to. 

Adam's here.

Jesus Christ, when do I get a break? Most likely after the war. Adam is here. Adam has escaped and come here for god know's what. If he is here, his father must not be far behind. My stomach churns and I want to scream.

Clearly, Stella overestimated Adam by declaring he wouldn't come here for me. I wonder if Cliff is after him, if Beckett has sent him to collect his son. I wonder if he knows the whereabouts of my father. 

"Is that why you're here? To kill him or take him back?" I question. Cliff shakes his head, spitting out a lump of coated bloody saliva.

"I helped him get out," He answers nonchalantly. Wow, you've do one decent thing in your lifetime. Congrats, I think sarcastically with an eye roll. 

"Why?" Jer asks.

"I just saw things." It's his final answer. It's evident that he isn't willing to explain anything on it and I don't wish to ask Cliff about my father. I'm afraid that his reasoning for betraying his former Alpha has to do with it.

We force Cliff to show us to where Adam is.

It's not a long walk, it's one of the local hotels and my heart is pounding by the time we reach the lobby. Like before, the person at the desk stares us down but says nothing as we file into the elevator, a mauled Cliff beside us. He's silent. It's shocking.

We quickly reach the room and Cliff slides a key into the slot and opens. The TV is on and when we enter, so are the balcony doors. Voices.

I near while Cliff and Jeremy hold back. I can see Adam's blonde hair. He's leaning with his hands on the railing, a small figure beside him. My heart plummets. 

Long, dark hair and dark eyes is what I first see. Stella is staring at Adam as if he is an anomaly. And Adam is too busy staring at the building's before him to notice. I want to see his face. I know it's him - from his familiar scent - but my brain is processing the image of him so slowly. It's been too long.

Stella senses my presence, turning and staring at me. Her mouth opens a little, but then closes and her jaw tightens. She releases the railing and turns to face me leveled. Adam follows, doing a double take and meeting my eyes. I'm horrified.

On his cheek, there is a long scar. Fading bruises cover his exposed arms and he is sporting a black eye. I cover my mouth with my hand to stop the shocked cry from coming out. "Ronnie," He breathes. He sounds the same but he looks so different. Feels different, at least.

For some reason, he embraces me, clutching me to him tightly while my arms dangle by my side. I don't know why he's done this but I can feel the wetness of his tears against my cheek. Numbly, I pat his back. He flinches and it seems that more bruises are covering his body. I hold him as lightly as I possibly can.

"What happened?" I breathe into neck. He shakes with silent sobs, not replying but holding me tighter. I know what has happened and I can't resist the tears pinching my eyes. Adam is here, fucking Cliff is here, but my father is not. That can only mean one thing.

But maybe I'm just assuming.

"My father? Where is he?" I question. Adam is silent and I pull back to meet his watery gaze. "Is he still there?"

Adam shakes his head and I feel nauseous. "He's dead," Cliff answers for me and it's the worst news that could ever be delivered.

I collapse onto the bed, cradling my face in my hands. I think it's because I'm so tired that I don't care if they witness me breakdown. Jeremy sits next to me and Cliff tends to the bruises I gave him. Adam sits as well, rubbing my back and though I know it's not his fault, it feels weird having someone comfort me that isn't Liam or my friends. No tears come, rather it's a hollow state of numbness at the notion.

"Should I leave?" Stella voices. I shake my head. 

"Did you know?"

Her silence tells me she has. "How?" I say."How fucking long?"

"I saw Adam the night with Kev." She answers. "I was drunk and thought I was crazy. But I knew I saw him before I passed out. And then when we heard that he escaped, I was determined to find him. So I did. But today is when he finally told me about your dad."

"Is that why you broke my nose?" I scowl at her and Stella shrugs, folding her arms across her chest with a meek facial expression. She averts her eyes.

"It was part of it. But I didn't mean to. And I'm sorry." She finishes. I know it must take a lot for Stella to apologize and I'm truly not angry at her for keeping this to herself or for breaking my nose, no matter how painful it was. I'm sure Stella hadn't even known how to digest it and how to break it to me that my father is dead.

He's dead.

Right when our relationship had gone back to being normal, he dies. I wonder about his girlfriend and if she knows - they were supposed to get married. To have kids. - but I then I think of mom and how they must be together, somehow.

I make it evident that I forgive her by pulling her into a hug. She doesn't hesitate to return it, probably sensing that I need it. Rather she smooths my hair. Stella and Jeremy are not my friends, they are practically my family. So dickhead Tank should understand why sometimes we keep things between ourselves.

I don't know where I'm going with this. But my eyes feel heavy. And so do my limbs. Stella leads me to the bed when she can tell I'm ready to go limp in her arms. I don't care if Cliff is breathing the same air as me. I feel so tired that I don't care about much.

Stella tugs off my boots, drapes the blankets over and promises me that they'll be there when I wake. I don't complain. Jeremy collapses beside me, drifting to sleep as well and I follow shortly after. 

          I'm awaken by Adam's gaze.

To say the least, it's fucking creepy.

I mean, have you ever woken just feeling someone's gaze boring into you? It's awkward. It's uncomfortable. And I'm unsure of how to start a conversation. Instead, I peer around the room for Stella, only to find her jacket and shoes are gone.

I eye him warily.

"Stella went to inform Liam you're okay," He says, brushing a hand through freshly washed hair. I stare at the empty spot next to me where Jeremy had been before. "Jeremy went for backup and Cliff to inform them of Beckett's plans."

Great, I think sarcastically.

I shuffle awkwardly beneath the sheets and lean against the headboard. Adam resumes watching TV and we are quiet. I try to focus on the TV as well, but there is too much on my mind in reality. 

It's 2:00 O'clock. My jacket is missing and so are my boots. I should get up and find them and leave before Liam storms here - which he will most likely do - but instead I sink into the bed and run a hand down my face. Adam looks to me and I analyze him.

Now that it's daytime, I can see the specks of green in hazel eyes. A straight nose, a full pink bottom lip with a thin upper lip and straight brows. His hair is shorter, buzzed off at the sides. Adam is pale and leaner than usual and sickly looking with all the bruises decorating him, creating a yellow-ish tint as they are just starting to fade. The scar on his face makes me wonder how he received it. It makes me think of Liam and how he has one too. 

He stiffens under my scrutiny. Liam and him are so different, it's crazy.

"Why didn't they wake me?" I croak. 

"I wanted to talk to you," Adam begins. He turns, switching off the TV and the sound of the AC pumping cool air into the room is all that can be heard. He seems anxious as he shifts to face me from the end of the bed. "About your dad and why I'm here."

"Why did you come here?" I question. "It's dangerous to even be associated with me right now."

"I know," He drawls. "I came because I want you to come with me."

I blink. Go where?

"To Wisconsin," He says. "It's safe there."

"How do you know that?"

"Your father use to talk about it all the time while my father kept us," He replies shakily. His fingers knit together. "You have family there. They could help us or we could stay there, for good. No more Purgatory or even my father."

"What family?" My eyebrows furrow.

"Your mom's side." He states. "Her sister married one of the pack members there and they run their own pack. It's a pretty big one, fifty members. You're related to the Luna of the pack and she's been searching for you for years. It's a great opportunity."

"My mom has a sister?" I murmur to myself. It seems Adam is always the bearer of news. Whether it is good or bad. 

"Your father suggested we go frequently. You know, before he.." Adam trails off, collecting his words while my throat tightens and I tense. "He died a week after the whole fight, Ron. He made my dad so angry one night that my dad left him out, tied up. An offering I guess. They gutted him real bad. All they found was blood and some limbs and-"

"Don't." I cut him off. "I need water."

I feel like I am going to be sick. 

Adam quickly passes me a glass and a soaked hand towel. I press it against my forehead and down the water. Still, my stomach churns. I don't want Adam to go on and that's evident, so he sits and watches and then touches my hand when my eyes sting with tears. I hadn't cried last night, but now that it's hit me fully and I've digested it, all I feel is guilt. 

Adam comes to smooth my back as I weep into my hands and shake with sobs. It's pathetic. I'm pathetic. You get the point.

It's not your fault, I tell myself. I have a knack for it. If I allow myself to feel guilt, then I'll sink back into the same state as before when my mother and Anna died. I can't allow that. You didn't do it. You tried. 

All I want is for Liam to get here. Instead, Adam attempts to hug me again. I don't want him touching me. I just want Liam.

"Just leave with us, Ronnie. We can go there and be safe and-" He starts but I quickly wrench myself from his arms, almost falling off the bed as I frantically push myself out and search for my shoes. He continues blabbering though. "Please, Ron! I don't want to watch you die and my dad is relentless. Just come with Cliff and I and we'll-"

"Is that why you came here?" I spit hoarsely. "Because you thought I'd run?"

"No," He shakes his head and tries to prevent me from tugging on my boots. "I'm just trying to protect you and I don't want you to get hurt anymore. Your father made me promise to look after you-"

I swat his hand off my shoulder and stand, scouring for my jacket. "You need to look after yourself first, Adam. Don't worry about me."

I spot my jacket on the coat rack and grasp up when Adam catches my wrist, drawing my attention and making me pause. His eyes are soft and his lips are parted. It's weird. It's intimate and it makes me shift my weight from foot to foot. "I've done that for long enough. I know you think running might be cowardice but we need time to gather numbers. We have my father's pack and the Purgatory."

"I've been running my whole life, Adam." I say. "I'm done with it."

"Ronnie, listen to me." He pulls me back to him. "Come with me. Stay with me and we can-"

"We're never going to be together like that, Adam." I wrench my wrist from his grip and yank at the collar of my shoulder, exposing what only occurred a day or two ago. 

"You mated?" He croaks. I nod vigorously and he reaches to touch it. His fingers graze it and I flinch. Quickly, he withdraws. "If my father catches us and finds that you have, he'll kill you."

"I'm in love with Liam, Adam." I begin. I slide my shirt back into place and grasp my leather jacket. I put it on and fluff my hair out. "This mark on my neck doesn't begin to explain what I feel for Liam. I know it sounds stupid, but even if Liam and I were not mated, or even soulmates to begin with, I'd always love him first. Somehow, we'd always find each other. You and I are not meant to be together, no matter how much everyone told us we should be."

Adam swallows loudly. "You can't be with anyone ever again."

"I don't want to be," I profess quietly.

"Maybe in another world we would have ended up together."

"Yes," I agree. "A world where your father controlled us and treated us like we were his puppets."

"I wish I could have been braver. And stronger. And then maybe you'd love me like Liam." It's painful to even listen to this. I had always denied Adam was in love with me, but now that he was voicing it, I wanted to cringe and shake my head and still somehow deny.

So I do that. It's instinct.

I shake my head and swing open the door, ready to march. I pause, stand in the doorway and ask, "Are you coming or not?"

And so he follows.

We head back to the house and don't speak, mainly because I insist on wolf form and so I'm running ahead of him. I don't want Adam to ever speak to me again at this point. I'm scared he'll spew more romantic shit that I can't handle if it isn't coming from Liam.

I remember the play and the signs that lead to Adam being in love with me and I wonder how I ignored it all. It's weird. Boys shouldn't like me in the first place; I'm a mess.

That's proven when I shift back and run to the front door, banging on the door for someone to let me in. Surprisingly, Stella does and she seems shocked at my appearance but I quickly breeze passed her and into an angry Liam's arms.

At first, he doesn't embrace me but then the tears leak out - freaking emotional Ronnie - and he secures his arms around me, letting me silently cry into his neck. I think he knows why my tears have been caused. That's the best part of Liam and I; we don't have to say anything to understand one another. 

Even through all the bullshit and lies, I am true to my word. I could never love anyone as much as I love him.

Not even if Adam wished I didn't.

-----------------

Ooooh, dramaaaa. 

Adam's back, back, back, back again...

And it's exciting! I'm so glad to have him back into the picture. I know most of you probably don't like him - because he's always after Ronnie yet being a little bitch too - but I really wanted to put him back in. And him being like, "Hey, Ronnie, I'm in love with you." Is just a big step into how he has changed. He actually has the balls to say it! Or imply it.

Ronnie kicked some ass, cried, and then cried. It's been a good day for her.

Either way, Ronnie will always love Liam and him solely. Adam has been friend-zoned and that's where he shall remain.

In the next chap (coming to you soon) it will explore more in depth of what the group plans to do and more little cute romantic moments.

Also, the Belle and Alfie ship has set sail! I think they're such a weird and cute couple. Just cause they're so different. Belle's a little blue haired weirdo and Alfie's just this tough guy that's into sports and woman. Literally. Figuratively. ;D But not anymore! He's got Belle.

Bellfie?

Blfie? 

Weird.

IMPORTANT Q: If you don't know, I usually make my stories up to 30 parts. Should I so a third and final sequel to this story? I can't tell you what's it about because it would give spoilers to the ending of this story, but I'm just curious. Or should I just extend this story, make it longer, finish the war and that's it? If that's what you guys want, then I'll end strictly after the war and most likely won't delve into further life, which might be the third book...

Let me know.

Thanks to cantpromiseyou for the cover! It's beautiful and thank you for taking the time to make it. :) x

Until next time,

- CeCe.